December 1 is World AIDS Day. It is a day of awareness and education about AIDS. To focus on prevention, control, research and education. Read the information and share with your children and anyone else you love.

Monthly Events

Colorectal Cancer Education and Awareness Month. Dec. 1–31. To educate consumers, patients and professionals regarding the need for early diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer. For more information, browse www.ppsinc.org.

Operation Santa Paws. Dec. 1–22. During the holiday season extra help is needed for abused and abandoned animals in the care of local animal shelters. Operation Santa Paws spearheads a canine/feline toy/treat drive to benefit less fortunate pets during the holidays. For more information, browse www.santapaws.info.

Safe Toys and Gifts Month. Dec. 1–31. What toys are dangerous to children’s eyesight? Tips on how to choose age-appropriate toys. For more information, browse www.preventblindness.org.

Weekly Events

Hanukkah. Dec. 4-12. Feast of Lights or Feast of Dedication. Festival lasting eight days commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over Syrians (165 B.C.) and rededication of Temple of Jerusalem. Begins as sundown on Dec. 4.
http://www.history.com/minisites/hanukkah/ or http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday7.htm

Kwanzaa. December 26-January 1,2007. An African American and Pan-African holiday celebrated by millions throughout the world African community. http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/index.shtml

Daily Events

Day With(out) Art. Dec. 1 An annual observance about the impact of AIDS on the visual arts. Events to increase public awareness thorough the visual arts, direct services to artists living with HIV/AIDS. For more information, browse www.visualaids.org.

United Nations: World AIDS Day. Dec. 1. A day of awareness and education about AIDS. To focus on prevention, control, research and education. For more information, browse http://www.worldaidsday.org/default.asp

Saint Nicholas Day. Dec. 6. A day celebrating a venerated saint of both the Eastern and Western Christian churches. Saint Nicholas was a bishop in what is now modern-day Turkey and he has been especially noted for his charity. Santa Claus and the presentation of gifts is said to derive from St. Nicholas. http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=76

Abilities Day. Dec. 22. Celebrates all people with disabilities and their caregivers. To celebrate wear a white ribbon. For more information, browse www.disabilitygrapevine.com.